S&W US Army Model 1917 .45 ACP

[Walkalong]

A fellow had one at the show today. Private sale. Asking $425. Hmmm. Mind if I take off the tie and give it a closer look. Why sure. Busted out the mini flashlight and magnifying glass, ran some checks on it, and gave it a good look over. It is in good to very good shape mechanically, with plenty of finish wear, patina etc. No rust. (Looks worse in the pic) Bore looked very good with only a tiny bit of end shake in the cylinder. Will you take $400? Yes. 1, 2, 3, 4 & thank you with a handshake. I still need to clean it up. I could have done worse.

Now I have big brother to my S&W Victory Model. It came with a couple of full moon clips and two half moon clips.

S&W US Army Model 1917 .45 ACP

S&W Victory Model .38 S&W

 

[Oyeboten]

Hi Walkalong,


I'd say you did very well!


Looking forward to the Range Report!

 

[Walkalong]

Well, with the lite loads I tried today it shoots to the left a little, but grouped well. Not match accurate for sure, but pretty good. AC

Hot weather is back. 96 at the range this afternoon. (In the shade)

 

[Onmilo]

Look at the left upper rear of the frame and see if it is marked GHS in a circle.
That stands for Gilbert H Stewart and indicates a rare first year production as do the dished grips.

Since my GHS 1917 was in terrible shape I sold the dished grips on an auction, they were in very good condition compared to the gun which sat in a leather suitcase in an attic for 40 years.

Those grips brought $250, just for the grips.

 

[Walkalong]

It does. Too bad it isn't a better specimen.

 

[dreamer56]

Nice catch - been looking for one locally for a couple years with no luck. Enjoy it!

 

[ReloaderEd]

1917 S & W Brazilian 45ACP

I purchased one several years ago to fill in with my Colt 1917, a S&W 625 Stainless and a Webley Mark IV converted to 45ACP. They aint worth much but sure shoot good. The nice thing new parts are available for the action.
Try the shooting double action instead of cocking the hammer back. You might be surprised. My 625 is the most accurate pistol I have, better than my Gold Cup 70 Series. Have fun and be safe.

 

[Walkalong]

Try the shooting double action

I did. Very nice DA.

 

[ElToro]

I got one a few years ago that had the swivel filled and reblued I think I paid 300 just to be able to live out my indiana jones fantasies. Good dhooters with standard velocity 45 ball or hollowpoint. You did good

 

[Rico567]

I got one of the old Brazilian police jobs a number of years back. Reblued over some surface corrosion, and had to take a stainless brush to the bore before I could even SEE rifling....but it was there. Pulled off the side plate and flushed & brushed out gobs of brown gunk with solvent. Once all that was done, I lubed it up and it shoots straight with a beautiful double action pull. Now all I need is to find a good gunsmith who can do some timing on it.

 

[Jim K]

Hi, Walkalong,

That is actually a pretty good Model 1917; some were heavily used and in poor condtition; I think you did well at that price.

ReloaderEd, I hope you reload the .45 ACP ammo you use in the old Webley; the factory loads have been known to blow the Webley cylinders, being half again the pressure the gun was designed for.

Jim